Present there on invitation were Foreign Minister Pak Ui Chun, Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Kung Sok Ung, Vice-Minister of Railways Kim Chol, Vice-Minister of Foreign Trade Ri Myong San and officials concerned.

Staff members of Russian embassy here were also present there.

The ambassador said in his speech that after the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries in 1948 they have invariably kept the friendly relations based on the principles of mutual assistance, confidence and respect.

He noted that Russian President Dmitri Anatoliyevich Medvedev and General Secretary Kim Jong Il pay deep attention to the development of relations between the Russia and the DPRK.

Noting that the a ground-breaking ceremony for the reconstruction of Rajin-Khasan Railways and Rajin Port successfully took place on Oct. 4, he expressed the belief that the Russia-DPRK friendly and cooperative relations would consistently grow stronger for the promotion of welfare of the two peoples on the principles of good neighborliness, equality and mutual benefit.

The foreign minister stressed that after the establishment of the diplomatic ties the DPRK and Russia have boosted cooperation and exchanges in different fields such as politics, economy and culture for the past six decades and thus contributed to achieving prosperity common to the two peoples, regional stability and world peace.

He said that he is rejoiced over the good achievements made in Russia, friendly neighbor, sincerely hoping that everything would go well in Russia in the future, too.

He expressed the belief that the traditional DPRK-Russia friendly and cooperative relations would grow stronger.